Metal plate embedded in tree??

dustycoyote · October 28, 2024, 12:06:16 PM

Hi all,

A few years ago I purchased some forest land. In the middle of it I found a tree that has a metal plate embedded in the side of a tree. Its obviously been there for many years and the tree has grown around it largely.

I am wondering what it is. Ive thought it could be an old survey marker, or a tag applied as part of a forestry project or something, but haven't been able to find out exactly what it is.

Any help would be much appreciated.

The plate has "D181" stamped on it. There could be additional stamping that is now obscured.

The land has been private property since the late 1800s.

I would post a picture but I'm not sure how to upload one here.

Texas Ranger · October 28, 2024, 02:44:10 PM

Unless a high value tree (With metal in it?) I would take a wood chisel and hammer to it and find out what is afoot.

dougtrr2 · October 29, 2024, 08:37:38 AM

Size??

Doug in SW IA

reride82 · October 30, 2024, 01:31:58 AM

What state are you located in? What color is the plate, is it yellow by chance? If the tree is a bearing tree, it will have some data stamped on it to describe where it is in reference to the survey corner, ie distance and direction. It will also have the township, range, section, date, and surveyor info stamped on the plate and any other location data. You may have to chisel some of the wood away from the plate to read it.

Levi

dustycoyote · November 01, 2024, 02:37:37 AM

I wouldn't think it is a high value tree.

Mature lodgepole pine. Maybe 14 inch diameter.

In Idaho.

The plate is just silver colored steel or aluminum. Maybe I will have to dig it out to see if there is more stamped on it.

Ron Scott · November 01, 2024, 01:37:47 PM

Since the marker is in the middle of the property, it would not appear to be a land survey marker. It is more likely a Research or Tree Inventory Marker from years past.

National Timber Volume Surveys are done every 10 years across all forest lands so it might be one of such survey markers used by the USFS National Survey.